11 September 2026
By Valerie Ryan
valerie@TheCork.ie
Kinsale Community School recently welcomed An Taoiseach, Micheál
Martin T.D., to officially turn the sod on the next phase of the
school’s development, a major €22 million investment in the future of
education in Kinsale and the surrounding area.
The occasion comes at a particularly significant time for Kinsale
Community School as September marks the school’s 30th anniversary. The
school first opened its doors to second-level students on 1 September
1996 and, having originally been built to accommodate 460 students,
has since grown to a thriving school community of almost 1,500
students.
An Taoiseach Micheál Martin T.D. walking with Principal Fergal McCarthy; Head Girl Muireann O’Donovan and Head Boy Jack O’Leary during a visit to Kinsale Community School to turn the sod on a new €22 Million extension.
Picture. John Allen
An Taoiseach Micheál Martin T.D. turning the sod on a €22 Million extension at Kinsale Community School
Picture. John Allen
An Taoiseach Micheál Martin T.D. recording a politics podcast with students Elma Pallor and Jessica O’Keeffe during a visit to Kinsale Community School to turn the sod on a new €22 Million extension.
Picture. John Allen
An Taoiseach Micheál Martin T.D. speaking during a visit to Kinsale Community School to turn the sod on a new €22 Million extension.
Picture. John Allen
An Taoiseach Micheál Martin T.D. speaking during a visit to Kinsale Community School to turn the sod on a new €22 Million extension. Picture. John Allen
The extension will include additional science facilities, specialist
rooms for students with additional educational needs and a new Digital
Research Hub, designed to support innovative teaching, collaboration
and 21st-century learning on a world-class educational campus.
Speaking at the sod-turning ceremony, An Taoiseach, Micheál Martin T.D., said:
“This €22 million investment is an important commitment to the future
of Kinsale Community School and the community it serves. I am
delighted to mark the beginning of this significant development as the
school celebrates 30 years of education in Kinsale.”
Principal of Kinsale Community School, Mr Fergal McCarthy, said:
“This is a very significant moment for Kinsale Community School. As we
celebrate our 30th anniversary, this development will provide the
additional capacity and outstanding facilities our growing school
needs. We are extremely grateful for this investment, which will
benefit generations of students and the wider Kinsale community.”
The sod-turning marks the beginning of an exciting new phase in the
development of Kinsale Community School and an investment by the State
in the future of education in Kinsale and its environs.